Isaiah 40 is a chapter where we see this hope beyond the temporary, a comfort for God’s people in the deep ache they were feeling. We can learn from their experience, and we can draw from their promised hope.
Where I live, this winter has felt the darkest of any I have experienced my whole life. It wasn’t just the constant rain and clouds, maybe it was the pandemic and the pain that spiraled around us for months upon months.
The past year for most of us brought a deep level of sorrow and darkness. It was global pain and heartache. We longed for answers and hoped in ways we never thought possible.
We had no place to cast our eyes other than God.
One word that was used, maybe overused, was the word “unprecedented” to describe life in the middle of a pandemic. The word was used not because pandemics are new, but because it had been over 100 years since a pandemic of this scale had hit so hard.
These circumstances we face are not new; new to us, but not new in the history of the world. Pandemics, pain, and problems have existed since Adam and Eve left the Garden in Genesis. We may not know how to handle them in our day and time but they are nonetheless nothing new.
Scripture is our navigation tool when life is easy, but even more so when life seems to be a struggle. We know this is true because Bible sales skyrocket when trials come. We saw it during 9/11, and we saw it back at the beginning of 2020 when the Pandemic hit. Why? Because we are looking for answers; we are looking for hope.
The Bible, even to a lost world, looks like the best place to start.
As believers, we know it is the only place to go. There will be no answers outside of it that will give us true hope or peace. Scripture points us to hope beyond the temporary, beyond this life.
Isaiah 40 is a chapter where we see this hope beyond the temporary, a comfort for God’s people in the deep ache they were feeling. Isaiah wrote to the people of God to assure them of hope to come. Israel had been through so much by the time we reach the book, Isaiah.
Israel had experienced the punishment of God, the care of God, and the rescue of God.
We can learn from their experience, and we can draw from their promised hope. We can also draw deep from the well of who God is even in the middle of our troubles. Isaiah teaches us how there is great comfort to be found right now, and even greater hope ahead.
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1. We Are Comforted by His Word
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)
There is a reason we keep coming back to the Word of God, because while everything else is fading, dying, or disappearing, the Word of our God is not. The Bible we hold in our hands is the most well-preserved text in history. No other book in history has had more time, copies, and study devoted to it.
What God purposes, He will do. This truth applies to Scripture. It is no coincidence that Scripture has held firm, God is making certain His Word remains.
2. We Are Comforted by God’s Greatness
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” (Isaiah 40:12)
The Bible enables us to know more about the character of God. His character gives comfort when compared to our circumstances. Understanding the greatness of God, that He holds it all within His hands, gives us peace.
We can be at peace because He is great. God knows it all and holds it all within His grasp. He is worthy of our trust because He is the Creator of all and Promise Keeper. This world in all its temporary pain is not outside the hands of our Almighty God.
3. We Are Comforted by God’s Power
“Lift up eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)
God’s power brings comfort because we know His power is far beyond measure. His power is not limited. He has power over Heaven, His angels, His creation, His people.
This should comfort us because God is powerful enough to handle anything we face. In His power, He can provide for our every need.
3. We Are Comforted by His Glory
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28)
There is something so comforting in knowing that while I am struggling or in pain, God is not on the throne asleep. He is not exhausted by His job or weighed down by my worries. He doesn’t look at me puzzled or without understanding where I am and what I am going through.
In all His glory He knows me, is fully present in my pain, and understands the needs of my heart before I do.
4. We Are Comforted by His Strength
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Strength in my hard circumstances is not something that I can muster up myself. I will always lack, but in God, there is unlimited strength. I will not faint and grow weary in His strength. When I rely on Him in my struggle I will find I have just what I need to face the trouble ahead.
The truth is that pandemics, pain, and problems won’t last. Our God, His Word, and His eternal and everlasting character will remain, always. We cling to this as our comfort. That is exactly what Isaiah was doing for God’s people in Isaiah 40. He reminded them that keeping their eyes on the temporal brings us no hope or comfort, but casting our eyes heavenward will be our peace.
Michelle Rabon is helping women be disciples who make disciples. Michelle has her MDiv in Ministry to Women from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently serving as Women’s Ministry Director in her local church. She is also the author of Holy Mess. When she is not writing or teaching, she enjoys reading, being close to the ocean, and drinking a lot of coffee. You can connect with Michelle at www.michellerabon.com
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